Ben Franklin's slogan abouy "temporary security" was just that--a slogan, not a principle of moral or ethical behavior in a free society. In fact, the obverse of this statement has as much validity as the original:
*Those who would give up security for some temporary liberty deserve neither.*
In other words, by insisting during wartime on total privacy over matters such as phone records, etc., one is preventing our republic from defending itself against a force that seeks to eliminate all freedom as we know it.
In a fascist state maybe. This country was founded on the ideals of liberty, not security. The Declaration of Independence mentions security once, in the context of securing our freedom from an oppressive government. The Constitution mentions our security in the context of securing our liberty.
In other words, by insisting during wartime on total privacy over matters such as phone records, etc.,
Not total privacy. The Constitution explicitly stated where and how the government can intrude on our privacy.